Cumbrian pub is first in UK to put carbon footprint beside menu items
The National Trust's Sticklebarn pub has teamed up with CAfS patron Mike Berners-Lee to work out the carbon footprint of the food on its menu. Diners can see the carbon tally for each item and make low-carbon choices. A black bean burger comes in at just 0.86kg CO2e, with meat dishes ranging from 2.72kg CO2e and 5.4kg CO2e. Read more > Alston Moor Community Plan is launched, with sustainability threaded through
A new collective vision for the future of Alston Moor has been published. The Community Plan for 2019 to 2025 sets out how the community want to see the area develop and overcome the challenges they face. The Alston Moor Greenprint project by CAfS has run in parallel with the development of the plan, to stimulate and encourage sustainability. The Greenprint has embedded specific actions into sections on Food and its Production and Where we Live – Appropriate Homes, working closely with Alston Moor Community Energy to develop community owned renewable energy and to support the development of energy-efficient, community-led housing on Alston Moor. See the plan > Repair Cafe gives new lease of life to broken goods
The results are in from the latest Alston Moor Repair Cafe, on 28 April at Nenthead. Our 19 volunteers (including three new ones) were able to repair 16 out of the 21 items brought in. Since then, volunteers have had training in PAT testing, so they can check electricals before and after repairs. It's fantastic to see the cafe going from strength to strength, organised by CAfS on behalf of Alston Moor Partnership, thanks to funding from Cumbria County Council and the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation. The next cafe will be in July. More details shortly.
Research looks at community energy in the North West
A new survey of community energy organisations in the North West has painted a picture of the extent of this important source of energy generation. The research, carried out by Electricity North West, in partnership with Community Energy England, has found that communities across the region raised a total investment of £665,000 in 2018 to support at least four community energy projects, with two new community electricity generation projects completed, generating a total of 58kW. Read the report > Public asked for views on flood and coastal erosion strategy
The Environment Agency has called for spending of around £1 billion a year on flood adaptation due to climate change, with a warning that some communities may need to move because of the risk of floods. The Agency has launched a consultation on its strategy to deal with these risks and it closes on 9 July 2019.
Read the CAfS response to the Environment Agency's call for adaptation spending >
Listen to CAfS interview on Radio Cumbria > (starts about 40mins 50 secs)
Support campaign for community energy groups to sell energy locally
A campaign is under way to make it easier for community energy groups to sell their energy directly to local members and local residents. It’s currently very challenging because of the huge costs and bureaucracy involved in becoming a licensed supplier. A proposed Local Electricity Bill has been drafted to tackle this. Campaigners have succeeded in introducing the Bill in Parliament last year and 108 MPs are on board, including at least two from Cumbria. Read more > |
